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Dancing with Chocolate Ballerina Company, BalletX, PHILADANCO! and more
The Month in Philly Dance: July 2025
Camille Bacon-Smith
I’m writing this on the solstice, with the first heat wave of summer on the horizon. Protest season is here, a fine Philadelphia tradition since (at least) 1776. But in between the parades and the marches, there’s time to celebrate the new and honor tradition in Philly dance.
Arts on Center Stage: Chocolate Ballerina Company
July 3, 2025, 6:00pm
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia
The Fourth of July celebration starts early as Dilworth Park continues its series of free outdoor performances with the Chocolate Ballerina Company. Founder and artistic director Chanel Holland-Pierre promises selections based on the company’s version of Romeo and Juliet...a Tragic Love Story.
BalletX Presents Its Summer Series
July 16-18, 7:30pm
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 2pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, July 20, 2025, 2pm and 7pm
Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
BalletX celebrates the 15th anniversary of Matthew Neenan’s The Last Glass, one of my favorites of his work, and a new piece by choreographic fellow Noelle Kayser. But I’m most excited about the first look at choreographer in residence Amy Hall Garner’s work in progress, Petrushka. It’s a revisioning of Fokine’s 1911 ballet with a score by Igor Stravinsky and tells the story of puppets brought to life in a depression era traveling show. Garner promises to bring the story into the 21st century with its themes of love and belonging.
Full Out Formula: I Think It Could Work
Thursday, July 24, 7pm
Fringe Arts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard
Full out Formula brings an early taste of Fringe with acrobatics, juggling, and audience participation to explore the intersection of choice and destiny. I’m including it here in dance because it promises storytelling through movement and heart, which is what dance is all about!
PHILADANCO! Annual Founder’s Day Celebration
Friday, July 25, 8:30pm
The Mann Music Center, 400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Philadelphia
PHILADANCO! celebrates its 55th anniversary with a celebration of Black dance across the spectrum—from ballet to bop, contemporary and jazz to hip hop, African and tap. Companies sharing in the celebration will include PHILADANCO, JustSole, Dance Iquail, Eleone Dance Theatre, Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble, and Grace Dance Theater. This is where dance alum and dance enthusiasts gather to celebrate Black dance in Philadelphia and the woman who has fostered them all, Joan Myers Brown. It’s on my must-see list.
And also
Arts on Center Stage: PHILADANCO!
July 10, 6pm
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street
If you can’t make it to the Dell on July 25, you can still get a taste of PHILADANCO! in another free outdoor performance at Dilworth Park.
Featured image: Chocolate Ballerina Company takes over Dilworth Park for the Fourth of July. (Photo courtesy of Chocolate Ballerina Company.)
Image description: Two Black dancers in pas de deux, wearing all black with shirts that have Chocolate Ballerina Company printed on them.
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